National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian islands is the largest marine protected area in the world
In June 2006, the Bush administration agreed to phase out commercial fishing and other potentially destructive activities in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, thereby creating the most expansive marine reserve on Earth. The Northwest Hawaiian Islands is an archipelago of uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals and atolls that make up one of the most remote and relatively undisturbed coral reef systems in the world. The administration’s decision to protect this place was a landmark event, capping more than a century of efforts by a succession of both Republican and Democratic U.S. presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, Ronald Reagan and William Clinton.
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Global Media Coverage
Media coverage surrounding the designation of the world's largest marine reserve in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands by President George W. Bush triggered an international and national avalanche of comprehensive news stories and positive editorials from top news organizations.
Media giants such as the New York Times began coverage before the signing
ceremony on June 15, 2006. Television and radio coverage was outstanding,
with ABC TV, NBC TV, MSNBC, CNN and FOX News giving primetime coverage
to the extraordinary event. Coverage reached a crescendo when more than 350
U.S. television stations ran the story on local newscasts, increasing the
saturation of every major media market in the United States. Associated Press and other wire services picked up the historic story and distributed the news
worldwide to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations, including the
International Herald Tribune, The Australian, and BBC Radio & TV.
ABC TV and USA Today declared Papahānaumokuākea Marine National
Monument one of the seven new natural wonders of the world. The creation of
the world’s largest marine reserve also made the "Top News Story" lists of 2006
and 2007 in national magazines such as Discover and Sunset. On Earth Day
2007, 71 million people read about the newly named marine reserve when
Parade published an article in its popular Sunday magazine distributed by
more then 400 newspapers across the United States.
American Airlines chose to highlight the new marine reserve in its March, 2007
edition of its in-flight magazine American Way and Associated Press published a story a year after the event with a look at the unique tourist
destination the preserve will become.
The compelling story was published in niche markets as well as mainstream
media. For example, Jean–Michel Cousteau authored a story in the magazine
Realscreen on the power of his documentary about the NW Hawaiian Islands
to sway President Bush into action. Internet coverage was broad-based,
including environmental and government websites, and continues to generate
stories long after the event.
We hope you enjoy this comprehensive overview of excellent media coverage
President Bush, the United States and the State of Hawaii received for creating
a world-class marine reserve:
